Thalamus

Question 1

Thalamic Nuclei

Body Sensation

Relay to Somatosensory cortex

Answer 1

VPL

Ventroposterior Lateral

Question 2

Thalamic Nuclei

Face Sensation

Relay to Somatosensory cortex

Answer 2

VPM

Ventroposterior Medial

Question 3

Thalamic Nuclei

Thalamic Relay for:

Limbic System

Papez circuit

Answer 3

Anterior group

Question 4

Thalamic Nuclei

Motor Loops

Answer 4

Question 5

Thalamic Blood Supply

Primary Major Artery?

Distal vessels?

Answer 5

PCA:

Thalamic perforators

Thalamogeniculate

post choroidal

Question 6

Thalamic Nuclei

Relay to Somatosensory cortex

Answer 6

VPL

Ventroposterior Lateral

Question 7

Thalamic Nuclei

Mnemonics for:

VPM

VPL

LGN

MHN

Answer 7

1- Ventral Postero-Lateral nuclues (VPL) => Very Painful Leg

This nucleus has input (pain, temperature, pressure, touch, vibration and proprioception) from Spinothalamic and dorsal columns/medial lemniscus ( Lower Limbs and Upper Limbs).

2- Ventral Postero-Medial nucleus (VPM) => Very Painful Mouth

This nucleus has input (face sensastion and taste) from trigeminal and gustatory pathway).

3- Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (LGN) => Looking Good Naked :O

This nucleus has input (part of the visual pathway) from the optic nerve.

4- Medial Geniculate Nucleus (MGN) => Making Good Noise

This nucleus has input (part of the hearing pathway) from superior olive and inferior colliculus of tectum.

Question 8

Dejerine–Roussy syndrome

Answer 8

Thalamic pain syndrome: initial sxs of numbers. Weeks to months later numbness may evolve into pain in the same distribution

Question 9

BG Blood supply

Caudate

Putamen

GP

Thalamus

Answer 9

Caudate: MCA > Lenticulate striate

Putamen: ACA > Perforating br / recurrent aa of Heubner

GP: Anterior choroidal (from ICA near MCA)

Thalamus: PCA

(Thalamoperforators, Thalamogeniculate, post choroidal)